Preparing for heart surgery

An appointment before admission helps the hospital plan surgery and check your child’s health. Your child may have blood tests, an ECG to record the heart’s signals, an echo, an ultrasound scan of the heart or chest scans. The tests depend on the operation. Ask the surgeon to explain what they intend to do, the alternatives and the important risks.

Staff should explain things to your child and listen to their questions. They should use words or other ways of communicating that suit your child.

Keep explanations honest and concrete: where your child will go, who will help and what they may notice afterwards. Ask for a play specialist, who can help children understand hospital care through play. Ask what other information could help your child prepare. Avoid promising that nothing will hurt or giving a definite homecoming date.

Instead, ask how discomfort will be treated and what must happen before leaving hospital. Let your child choose a comfort item or a question to bring.

Check when and where to arrive. Follow the hospital’s instructions about when your child must stop eating or drinking, and which medicines to give. Ask who to contact if your child becomes ill before admission. Ask what happens if surgery is postponed. Decide how relatives will receive updates, who will care for siblings and what help you need with travel, work or accommodation.

Pack documents and the current medicine list alongside everyday essentials. An operation can make familiar routines difficult; ask the team which ones can continue and where you can take a break. You can request another consent discussion if any part of the plan remains unclear.